Tom Brady and the Buccaneers missed having a high-volume tight end on the field with the retirement of Rob Gronkowski. Cade Otton is helping out.
The Buccaneers offense has looked very different through the 2022 season for a variety of reasons beyond the retirement of Rob Gronkowski, but you have to admit that it is playing a role.
Tom Brady had an uncanny ability to get the ball to his top tight end in an offense that hasn’t leaned on tight ends historically under Byron Leftwich, and the loss of several top wide receivers made the lack of Gronk all the more apparent.
While he is likely never going to be on the same level as the Hall of Famer that preceded him, Cade Otton is apparently doing his best to fill the void of Gronk in this offense.
After a quiet start to the season, Otton looks great versus the Atlanta Falcons with five receptions for 40 yards in the first half.
When Cameron Brate and Kyle Rudolph have looked less than mediocre for most of the season, there was a need for Otton to finally break out. It looks like that day is here.
If the first half is any indication, Otton is on track to have an excellent day against a decent pass defense. From running routes to making contested catches, Otton looks comfortable with Brady, and that is a great first step in getting this offense back on track.
The Buccaneers may not need a great tight end for their offense to get back to where it was at for the last two seasons, but it sure does help to have a guy that can step up to the plate in a unit that has been rocked by injuries so far this season.
Hopefully Otton keeps it up.
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